World leaders grieve lethal Halloween crowd surge in Seoul

HONG KONG — World leaders expressed unhappiness and condolences after at the least 151 individuals have been killed in a crowd surge Saturday night time in Seoul, South Korea.

The tragedy occurred in Seoul’s Itaewon district throughout Halloween festivities when a enormous crowd surged right into a slender downhill alley. A minimum of 82 others have been injured within the South Korea’s deadliest accident in years.

U.S. President Joe Biden and first girl Jill Biden despatched their “deepest condolences” to the households of the deceased.

“We grieve with the individuals of the Republic of Korea and want for a fast restoration to all those that have been injured,” mentioned President Biden in a tweet. “America stands with the Republic of Korea throughout this tragic time.”

Equally, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak described the information from Seoul as “horrific” on Twitter.

“All our ideas are with these presently responding and all South Koreans at this very distressing time,” Sunak wrote.

Itaewon’s worldwide character was formed by its proximity to a U.S. army garrison close by. The world remains to be residence to eating places, bars and different companies catering to the American neighborhood in Seoul.

U.S. Forces Korea, which instructions the sizable American army presence within the nation, expressed its condolences in a Fb submit.

“The Itaewon neighborhood has opened its arms to us for a few years and is a part of the explanation our Alliance is so sturdy,” the command mentioned, writing in English and Korean. “Throughout this time of grief, we will probably be there for you simply as you’ve been there for us.”

Leaders from international locations together with Japan, France, China and Singapore reacted with shock and unhappiness over the tragedy in Seoul.

“I’m vastly shocked and deeply saddened by the extraordinarily tragic accident in Itaewon, Seoul, that took many valuable lives, together with these of younger individuals with their future forward of them,” Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida mentioned in a tweet.

In France, President Emmanuel Macron — who tweeted in each French and in Korean — provided help to Seoul residents and South Korea.

“France is with you,” he mentioned.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau echoed comparable sentiments on Twitter, sending his “deepest condolences” to the individuals of South Korea “and wishing a quick and full restoration to those that have been injured.”

Chinese language President Xi Jinping additionally despatched condolences to South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, expressing condolences and shock over the accident in Seoul, in line with a press release by the Chinese language international ministry. He additionally expressed condolences to the victims of the accident and their households.

Hong Kong chief John Lee mentioned in a press release on Fb that he was saddened by the accident in Seoul.

“I specific profound sorrow over the passing of the victims, lengthen my deepest condolences to their households and want for a speedy restoration to all those that have been injured,” mentioned Lee.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz mentioned that the “tragic occasions in Seoul come as a shock to all of us.”

“Our ideas are with the quite a few victims and their households,” Scholz mentioned in a tweet. “This can be a unhappy day for South Korea. Germany stands by their aspect.”

German Overseas Minister Annalena Baerbock mentioned she was “heartbroken” by the tragic information from Seoul.

“They have been searching for an evening of lighthearted Halloween festivities however as a substitute discovered actual horror and loss of life,” mentioned Baerbock. “My ideas are with the victims, their associates and households, and those that nonetheless concern for his or her family members.”

Singapore’s President Halimah Yacob described the lack of lives as “tragic” and mentioned it was “exhausting to think about” the trauma and grief skilled by the households, family members and associates of these affected.

“My ideas and prayers are with the individuals of South Korea throughout this troublesome time, and I want a fast and full restoration to all those that are injured,” she mentioned.